Alice on Trial

Milt Kahl animated all scenes with Alice as she is hopelessly defending herself against the Queen of Hearts at the trial. Look at this beautiful, unused rough drawing that somebody must have gotten from Milt's trash bin. Parts of the line work is so delicate, such as her face and hands.
But when something needs to be worked out like Alice's dress, Milt goes at it forcefully.

Below are copies of the cleaned up key drawings. In the scene Alice reacts to the sudden appearance of the Cheshire Cat on the Queen's head.
Dialogue: "Your Majesty..."

Many more of Milt's Alice rough drawings here:

http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2012/03/more-alice.html

Upcoming Exhibition

I feel very honored to showcase some of my art at the Walt Disney Family Museum at the Presidio in San Francisco. The exhibit will include my work at Disney, personal projects like wire sculptures as well as a preview of my film Mushka.

For more information go here:

http://waltdisney.com/exhibitions/deja-view-art-andreas-deja

By Grim Natwick II

Another Cartoonist Profiles article written by Grim Natwick about his buddy Bill Tytla. Grim gives us terrific insight into Tytla's work method as well as his intense relationship with animation. 

Don't we all wish he could have had his whole career at Disney, pushing the boundaries of character animation for a few more decades. We'll never know how Disney animation would have evolved with this artistic giant at the helm. 

Oh No, What Have They Done...

...just kidding! Someone asked me the other day if any animators were involved in the making of the upcoming live action version of Beauty & the Beast. The answer is no, and that's how it should be.

We did our animated film way back, and we are thrilled to see how beloved it is to this day. 

The new movie will have to stand on its own, and judging by the trailers, it looks like it will.

Luke Evans as Gaston is a great choice. He sure has the looks and the acting chops...though he doesn't look like "the size of a barge". But that won't matter.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing the live action version, in part because my friend Alexis Loizon is in it. (Alexis played Gaston in Paris in the musical on stage.) In the film he  portrays the character of Stanley. You see him on the lower left in this film frame.

I can't help but remembering my first scene for the movie. Gaston, admiring his reflection. Originally I had animated him with a much larger jaw and a mustache. After reviewing the pencil test, I was told that the animation was fine, but Gaston wasn't handsome enough.
It took me a while to grasp the character's concept, but in the end I understood he had be drawn as a handsome dude.
Gosh...all that seems soo long ago!

For some of my Gaston pencil tests go here:

http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2012/01/gaston-pencil-tests.html

The End of the Squirrel Sequence

These are Frank Thomas' thumb-nail doodles, as he explores staging and continuity for the final scenes of the squirrel sequence from Sword in the Stone. Both Merlin and Wart have turned back into humans, and the girl squirrel is heartbroken.
Merlin seizes the moment to explain to Wart what just happened: "You know, lad, that love business is a powerful thing."
"Greater than gravity?"
"Well, yes, boy, in it's way. I'd say it's the greatest force on earth!"

I assume this was written by story man Bill Peet, and to me it's one of the most poignant moments in Disney animation. So simple, so moving, and yet powerful as a statement.
The movie does have its flaws, but then it does have moments like this one.

The actual footage was animated by several animators.

Ollie Johnston

Ollie Johnston

Frank Thomas

Hal Ambro

Frank Thomas' House for Sale

Call it the ultimate Disney collectible, the beautiful Thomas residence is now on the market.
Located in one of LA's most attractive neighborhoods, La Canada, this mid century modern home was co-designed by Frank himself.
I feel very fortunate to have been invited to the Thomas home many times over the years. Visiting Frank and his wife Jeanette was always a special treat, and chances were that Ollie and Mary Johnston might be present as well, since they lived next door.
There were garden barbecues, birthday parties and holiday get togethers. So many wonderful memories.
I remember arriving at the house years ago, only to find Frank squirting squirrels with a garden hose.
"Frank, you can't do this", I said. "You animated the beloved squirrel sequence in Sword in the Stone". "They do make a mess, you know", Frank replied.

Here is the link to the real estate offer, go for it!!

http://www.curbed.com/2017/1/23/14357228/la-canada-flintridge-california-midcentury-modern-homes-for-sale-frank-thomas-walt-disney

On My Disc...

© Andreas Deja

Even though the story of my film Mushka is pretty much locked at this point, you still want be open to changes and improvements along the way.
Currently I am exploring a short dream sequence, which involves a wild ride in the snow with an unexpected ending. We' ll see how it will play in the reel.

The 2009 Academy Tribute to Milt Kahl

Gosh...it's been almost eight years since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences paid tribute to Milt Kahl. Allow me too brag a little, but way back Milt's 100th birthday was coming up, and so as an Academy member I suggested a celebration of his genius, which I would host.
The event was incredible, a packed house. We showed film clips, vintage interview outtakes, pencil tests and much more.
My buddy Charles Solomon moderated a panel of folks who knew Milt. Here are some of the panelists (Milt's daughter Sybil is missing from the photo, she was momentarily busy elsewhere.)
Next to me is Alice Davis, then Kathryn Beaumont, Brad Bird, John Musker, Charles, Floyd Norman, John Pomeroy and Ron Clements.

Here are pages from the event's program (courtesy of Hans Perk). Marc Davis' remembrance of his friend Milt Kahl is particularly touching.

Walt Stanchfield analyzes Milt Kahl

I found this photo of Walt Stanchfield among a pile of Disney memorabilia. I don't know where or exactly when it was taken. As Walt is holding a t-shirt, he probably just changed from his tennis outfit into his working clothes. He was sporty, loved life and was interested in just about anything. He always looked debonair, and I can tell you that quite a few young ladies at the studio thought, well...that Walt was hot. He was one of those people who happened to age well and gracefully.
As some of you know, Walt was an excellent teacher. One of his greatest points to get across was the relationship between life drawing and animation. He knew that many young artists somehow separate the two. Life drawing in front of the model being serous, academic stuff, and cartooning being something fun, yet completely different.
Walt made sure that his pupils understood that there is a strong connection.  Once you strengthen and simplify the human (or animal) model for action or acting, the whole thing starts to communicate so much stronger. And your animation will benefit greatly.
Here he points out Milt Kahl's knack for clear silhouette and positive change of shapes.

Get Walt Stanchfield's lectures in this two volume edition:

https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240810961/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0240810961&pd_rd_r=WCE5ZRXFFFNSA1SD3PW7&pd_rd_w=cGU6R&pd_rd_wg=n2y7i&psc=1&refRID=WCE5ZRXFFFNSA1SD3PW7


An earlier post on Walt Stanchfield:

http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2014/04/walt-stanchfield.html

By Grim Natwick

I have kept xeroxes of a few magazine articles written by the one and only Grim Natwick, such as this one, for a long time. I just can't remember exactly which magazine they are from, but I do believe it was a UK publication from the late 1970s.
In this edition Grim talks about Disney animators Ollie Johnston, Marc Davis (who assisted Grim on the character of Snow White) and Milt Kahl. He discusses some of their work as well as their individual hobbies.
I will post his other articles soon.
Terrific caricature of Milt Kahl by Richard Williams.